Melbourne keep their AFLW season alive with 14-point win over Western Bulldogs
DAISY Pearce has led Melbourne to a crucial win over the Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval, a victory that keeps the Demons’ AFLW season alive.
MELBOURNE has kept its AFLW season alive with a 14-point win over Western Bulldogs on Saturday night at Whitten Oval.
Led by star and captain Daisy Pearce in the midfield, the Demons had too many contributors and overwhelmed the Bulldogs with their pressure, not allowing them to get their running game going.
Pearce played arguably her best game for the season, picking up 26 disposals and was helped by teammates Karen Paxman (27 disposals) and Elise O’Dea (19), while forward Alyssa Mifsud had a breakout game, booting three goals.
The Bulldogs were without captain and key forward Katie Brennan and at times struggled to find a suitable forward target, while fellow marquee Ellie Blackburn (26 disposals) was dominant in the midfield alongside Emma Kearney (25). But it fell away after that.
After booting the opening goal of the game through Courtney Clarkson it was all Melbourne. The Demons held the Dogs goalless in the second term, while kicking two themselves to take a handy 14-point lead into the half time break.
The Dogs came out firing, kicking the first two goals of the second half but the Demons responded as Mifsud took the game by the scruff of the neck and announced herself as a dangerous forward option who can compete in the air and on the ground.
Hayley Wildes kicked the first goal of the final term to bring her side within nine points but the Demons held firm down back as the Bulldogs pressed and eventually delivered the knockout blow via marquee Melissa Hickey who ventured forward and kicked her first AFLW goal.
With the win Melbourne took home the Hampson-Hardeman Cup, which honours women’s footy pioneers Barb Hampson and Lisa Hardeman.
Eliza Sewell looks at the key points to take out of the match at Whitten Oval.
DID FANS HANG AROUND?
An official crowd of 7581 witnessed the Melbourne men defeat the Western Bulldogs before the women played.
Several were leaving ahead of the women’s game, but an equal number were pouring in, proving this AFLW is attracting a completely new crowd.
An estimated 5000 were there for the women, but it looked like more for the first quarter.
Dan Andrews and his family were in the house, with his wife Catherine showing her Bulldogs colours.
WERE THE UMPIRES OVER THE TOP?
After the Meg Downie hit last week, there’s been a lot of talk about the physicality of the women’s league.
When Irishwoman Laura Duryea bumped Bulldogs Jess Gardner in front of goal, the umpire paid a free.
It looked to me like a regulation hip and shoulder. Certainly hard, Gardner went flying, but not sure it was high.
It may have been a 50-50 call, but it seemed a bit over sensitive.
Ellie Blackburn was later given a free for what the umpire called a sling tackle by Duryea again, but it didn’t look like it was anything of the sort.
A KEY FORWARD IS BORN
Melbourne forward Alyssa Mifsud made a name for herself last night.
At 184cm she proved a handful for the Bulldogs. She marked strongly and kicked well. She did it all really, a regulation set shot and a ground ball gather and snap.
She finished the game with 3.3
The Bulldogs were missing their key target in Katie Brennan and it hurt.
Courtney Clarkson stood tall in her absence in the opening moments, kicking the Dogs first after a free kick for capturing Katherine Smith holding the ball.
Clarkson, a policewoman, then patrolled the defensive wing and took a great mark over Elise O’Dea.
But the Bulldogs were again wasteful in front of goal, kicking three behinds in quick succession in the first, failing to capitalise on the brilliant defensive efforts of players including Hayley Wildes.
FLOWER POWER
Daisy Pearce was panting at half time and so she should have been. The Demons captain started forward but moved onto the ball and ignited her side in the second term.
Racking up nine touches in the second and 12 to half time, Pearce steered Melbourne to a 14-point lead.
Her delivery into the forward line in the third term set up Mifsud’s second goal and her tackling and pressure continued the entire game.
Prolific Demons ball winner Karen Paxman was off early, with only one touch to quarter time and booted one out on the full from the kick in, but she turned it on after the first break.
Elise O’Dea also lifted around the contest, which aided the Demons forwards.
GOAL FOR GOAL IS A TREAT
This was free flowing footy and in the third term it opened up and 4.3 was kicked.
Unlike earlier games in this very young season, where a 14-point halftime lead would have almost been worth defending, this match was never over.
The Bulldogs got within three points in the third, a highlight was the running goal of small forward Kirsten McLeod who was waiting out back and collected a long bomb from Hannah Scott.
But the Demons pulled away again to lead by 15 points at the last break.
WE MIGHT NOT NEED THE MCG
With Brisbane defeating Collingwood on Saturday, the Lions are unbeaten on top of the AFLW ladder.
If Adelaide beat Carlton at home on Sunday, the Crows will also be undefeated.
With just four rounds to play and the next best side Melbourne on two wins and one loss, we might not have to worry about if it should be the MCG or Etihad Stadium hosting the Grand Final.
Adelaide Oval or the Gabba might be the only options.
Originally published as Melbourne keep their AFLW season alive with 14-point win over Western Bulldogs
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